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12:25 a.m.: About 2,000 people remained under evacuation orders late Thursday as 250 firefighters battled the blaze, said Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez, who warned that a full assessment might reveal even more damage.

11:40 p.m. update: An “Emergency Boil Water Notice” is in place for Sunrise Estates Public Water System customers effective immediately, Washoe County government reports.

"We advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, producing mist (humidifiers), brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled," according to a statement from the county. "A rolling boil of two minutes is sufficient to ensure the destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes. As an alternative, bottled water may be used."

As a result of the wildland fire, a loss of system pressure occurred, along with a subsequent power outage, the county reported. "We ask all residents to limit their water consumption to indoor use only while the storage tank recovers. Current demand is greater than system capacity."

The power outage problem is being worked on, and the local well is producing water, but further action is needed, the county said.

The Boil Water Notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows the water is safe to drink, the county said. Survey results are anticipated by Saturday.

11:15 p.m. update: Summary of Washoe Drive Fire from county authorities:o in excess of 3,700 acres. o at least 20 homes lost, more than 800 homes saved.o about 250 firefighters continue to work through the night, along with law enforcement.o U.S. 395 remains closed and is expected to remain closed because of damage to power lines and guard rails and use by fire and law enforcement crews. o Officials are recommending that motorists take an alternate route through Fernley-Silver Springs if they need to travel between the Reno-Sparks and Carson City areas."Commuters should be advised that an alternate route around Lake Tahoe is not advised at this time," Washoe County said in a statement. "In addition to weather concerns, Nevada 28 around the lake is currently closed as crews work on a gas leak unrelated to the fire."

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Evacuations were lifted in the following areas:o Callahan Ranch Roado Fawn Laneo Galena Country Estateso Montreuxo Mount Rose area from Killington to Thomas Creeko St. James Village

Residents returning to those areas are advised to watch for downed power lines.

11:15 p.m. update: With fire departments are still working on the fire between Reno and Carson City, U.S. 395 will remain closed all night, Friday and possibly into Saturday, Nevada authorities say. The Nevada Highway Patrol is asking motorists to find alternate routes to Carson City. These routes would be I-80 to Fernley south to Silver Springs and then west into Carson City. Return route would be from Carson City to Sliver Springs north into Fernley and back to Reno. Nevada 341 and Nevada 431 (Mount Rose Highway) also are alternate routes, but motorists are advised to carry chains or utilize four-wheel drives because of the chance of inclement weather, authorities said.

10:55 p.m.: About 2,000 residents are still evacuated.Some firefighters have suffered minor eye injuries while fighting the fire because of items like ash in the air.The next news conference is planned for 9 a.m. Friday.

10:27 p.m.: Faye Andersen, spokeswoman for NV Energy, said that power had been restored to some customers, and the total without power was about 2,022 at about 10:17 p.m.She said crews would work through the night to continue restoring power.

10 p.m.:About 2,000 residents are still evacuated.Some firefighters have suffered minor eye injuries while fighting the fire because of items like ash in the air.The next news conference will be at 9 a.m. Friday.

9:55 p.m.No school structures have been damaged, but Pleasant Valley Elementary School and Galena High School will be closed, Washoe County school police Chief Mike Mieras said.Depoali Middle School will also be closed because it is a command center, he said.Any students living south of Mount Rose Highway will not be able to take the bus because of the U.S. 395 closure, he said.

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9:52 p.m.:Nevada Department of Public Safety Director Chris Perry said that the department had about 80 people on the ground.He said that 11 miles of U.S. 395 is closed from East Lake Road to the Mount Rose junction. About 6 miles were “directly affected” by the fire.All reasons for the closure are “safety-related,” including dangling wires and burned guardrails.Interstate 80 to Fernley to Silver Springs to Carson City is probably the “best” route, he said.However, travel was unadvised given incoming weather conditions.

9:50 p.m.:Chief Tim Layton of the Sierra Fire Protection District said that power was restored to areas where the evacuation was lifted.He said an incident management team will take over at 6 a.m.Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley said Reno’s assistance was sincerely appreciated.He called the area burned “absolutely devastated.”He said that U.S. 395 will remain closed until further notice – until firefighters assure them it is safe to reopen it.He said 46 Guardsmen will assemble at about 5:30 a.m. for a briefing before being posted in a six-mile area at key roads from Town Road to the Carson line. Only authorities will be allowed to enter the scene.RAVEN, “a fantastic fire asset,” was unable to fly Thursday but will do so in the morning and help put out hot spots, he said.

9:45 p.m.: Reno fire Chief Michael Hernandez called the fire “an extreme challenge for our first responders.”He said:o The fire began in the East Lake area and is under investigation.o authorities saved 800 homes directly in the burn area.o 10,000 Washoe County citizens evacuated.o the fire is about 3,700 acres and “in excess” of 20 structures lost.“These are homes,” he said.He said there was one fatality but could not confirm that it was fire-related. He would not release any more information.More than 250 firefighters are working the scene, and the forward progress has been stopped, he said.He said 700 acres of hot spots, “smoldering trees” and collapsed buildings remained, and crews were trying to extinguish six structures.“The state is here to support you in whatever needs you may have,” state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, said. “… This community will rally for you.”

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9:40 p.m.: More than 20 homes lost in fire, Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said. About 800 homes saved from the wildfire. Gov. Brian Sandoval called it “inconceivable” that the community was again “struck by tragedy”He said firefighters came from as far as Carlin and Tonopah, as well as from California.The National Guard would provide security for homeowners starting tomorrow, he said.“The Nevada Departments of Public Safety and Transportation have informed me that U.S. 395 through Washoe Valley will remain closed until further notice," he said in a statement "State employees who commute on U.S. 395 through the Valley should not report to work tomorrow, Friday, the 20th of January. State government will, however, remain open for residents and employees who live in Carson City.” State offices will remain open, he said.

9:25 p.m.: Emergency personnel are allowing residents in the following areas to return to their homes beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, Washoe County authorities said.The areas are:• Callahan Ranch Road • Fawn Lane • Galena Country Estates • Montreux • Mount Rose area from Killington to Thomas Creek • St. James Village Residents will be required to show identification before being allowed back into the areas previously evacuated. All other areas are still under evacuation.

9:05 p.m.: Reno fire Chief Michael Hernandez Washoe Drive Fire’s forward progress has been stopped, Sierra Front information officer Mark Struble wrote in a 9 p.m. news release.Struble wrote that the fire was “moderating” from lower temperatures and winds and increasing moisture over the Carson Range/Sierra Nevada.He wrote that U.S. 395 could remain closed Friday morning and urged commuters to have a backup plan.

9 p.m. update: The evacuation center located at the Damonte Ranch High School at 10500 Rio Wrangler Parkway has been escalated to a shelter operation. The shelter is a safe, warm place where evacuees can come for food, rest and there is a television for up-to-date information about the fire. Animal control is also on-site to shelter pets. Look for Red Cross signage identifying the shelter.

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8:40 p.m. update:The Washoe Drive Fire burned more than 3,700 acres and was 0 percent contained Thursday night, with nearly 350 firefighters converging to fight a fire that started in north Washoe Valley about 12:45 p.m. and, pushed by south winds gusting in excess of 80 mph, quickly raced north through Pleasant Valley toward Galena.

8:10 p.m. update:About 2,300 customers are without power as a result of the Washoe Drive Fire, NV Energy spokeswoman Faye Andersen said.She said that a power line and about two dozen power poles in the area were burned by the fire. NV Energy crews were ready to begin work but awaiting clearance from firefighters to enter the scene. “We’re waiting to get in,” she said.

7:33 p.m. update: Wind gusts of up to 82 mph pushed a fast-moving brush fire south of Reno out of control Thursday as it burned several homes, threatened dozens more and forced about 10,000 people to evacuate their neighborhoods.

Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said more than 230 firefighters were battling the blaze, which had grown to nearly 3,700 acres within hours.

Hernandez confirmed "several" homes had been destroyed. He said he didn't know the exact number but told reporters "the news is not good."

There were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries.

A Reno television station reported at least 10 homes had burned since the fire broke out about 12:45 p.m. along U.S. Highway 395.

KRNV is reporting that 2,300 people remain without power.

____________________________________

7:14 p.m. update: The next press conference on the Washoe Drive Fire has been moved to 9:30 p.m. It will be held at Depoali Middle School.

Washoe County also tweeted that animals evacuated to the Animal Service/Humane Society site can pick them up after 9 a.m. Friday.____________________________________

7:07 p.m. update: Calli Fisher, Washoe County School District spokeswoman, said that Pleasant Valley Elementary School and Galena High School would be closed Friday. All other schools were planned to stay open.____________________________________

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6:35 p.m. update: US 395 remains closed in both directions in the vicinity of the Washoe Fire, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

The highway is closed just south of the Mt. Rose Highway in the north. Those needing to get to Carson City are being diverted to Highway 341 through Virginia City or via Highway 431, the Mt. Rose Highway.

Dispatchers at the Nevada Highway Patrol said the closures are in place until firefighters can get some containment of the 3,000 acre blaze, which was zero percent contained at 6 p.m.

Nevada has been approved by FEMA for a Fire Management Assistance Grant which will help cover 75% of the costs associated with the fire.5:12 p.m. update: Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said at a 5 p.m. press conference the fire was reported at noon. Because of the high wind conditions, it spread quickly, and is now about 3,000 acres and zero containment.

There are 233 firefighters on the ground.

About 4,000 people have been evacuated and 1,000 structures impacted and saved.

The news is not good, Hernandez said. Structures have been lost but there won't be a count until Friday morning.

This fire has split into two sections.

Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley said about 1:22 p.m. an evacuation page came out and officials began moving people from their homes. The FBI and DEA helped deputies with the evacuation.

About 50 law enforcement vehicles are involved, and are continuing the evacuation.

National Guard is present at the emergency operations center. They are ready and able to respond.

Animals north of the fire are being moved, and south are being moved to Carson City.

County manager Katy Simon said they are working on damage assessment and will try to get people back into their homes as quickly as possible.

“We know it’s hard to leave your home, but there are folks here who will keep it safe,” she said.

Reno Police Chief Steve Pitts said there’s a full-court press for public safety.

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The Reno Police Department is providing emergency services on the fire. They have also called in officers to cover calls for service in Reno.

Pitts said they are building a 24-hour plan for the event.

Fire Chief Hernandez said there are about 2,000 customers without power, and there are power lines down in the area. He warned anyone who comes upon a wire should avoid it and assume it’s hot.

Some livestock is roaming free.

Needing info, call 775-337-5800 Or call 211

The fire is moving north toward the Galena area. If the wind changes, they may have to issue more evacuations.

No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Officials will hold another press conference at 9 p.m., at a yet-to-be decided location.

Pleasant Valley Elementary School will not be open tomorrow.

________________________________

About 5:15 p.m., Galena resident Eric Dale headed warnings and packed up his belongings from his home on Fort Collins Drive.

He had been watching news accounts of the fire and was aware it was spreading north toward Galena.

“It looked like it died for about an hour, and then boom, it went up again,” Dale said.

Dale was relatively confident that would be able to keep it out of their suburban neighborhood.

4:29 p.m. update: The Callahan Ranch Road area is being evacuated, Washoe County reports

A Callahan Ranch resident, Rick May, is near a ridge where the fire could come over a tree line leading to his neighborhood.

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“That is what worries me,” May said, “If the fire hit these trees, and it goes up the tree line.”

As a precaution, he is watering around his house every half-hour.

Meanwhile, a knoll was on fire south of the St. James neighborhood within a third of a mile of trees.

Straw berms used for erosion control were smoldering not long before it began sprinkling outside._______________________

Heath Morrison, Washoe County schools superintendent, was at Damonte Ranch High School about 4:30 p.m. “trying to make sure the kids are OK and to support the community,” he said.

Morrison was heading over to Galena High School, the command center, for a 5 p.m. press conference.

“The decision has already been made and parents are being notified that Pleasant Valley Elementary School will be closed tomorrow,” Morrison said.

Only 22 people have checked in so far at the evacuation shelter at Damonte Ranch High School, according to Betsy Morse, a Red Cross shelter volunteer. She said that many affected residents have family in town or are staying at casino hotels.

The shelter workers have not set up cots yet but will if it looks like folks will be spending the night.

The Club Cal Neva is offering free rooms to those affected by the Washoe Valley fire.

People who live in Carson City can get a room for $15 a night.

To get the discount, people must have identification that shows they live in the 89511 zip code or live in Carson City.

Guests can call the Club Cal Neva Hotel to book their room at 775-323-1046 or they can walk-in.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is offering a $25 rate for anyone evacuated in the Washoe Fire area. They can call 775-356-3300 or they can just come in. ________________________

4:05 p.m. update: Washoe County has announced via Twitter that they have declared a state of emergency because of the Washoe Drive Fire.

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Washoe County issued this statement:

Reno, Nevada. January 19, 2012. Washoe County Manager Katy Simon has declared an official emergency for Washoe County as a wildfire burns in the northern Washoe Valley area.

At approximately 1pm on Thursday, January 19, a swift moving brush fire, fueled by heavy fuels and high winds, began burning in North Washoe Valley, prompting evacuation requests in the old Washoe City area, Pleasant Valley, and Saint James Village areas.

At 3pm, in response to the severity of the fire, County Manager Katy Simon declared a state of emergency for Washoe County. The declaration allows the County to apply for reimbursement for costs related to the fire and request additional resources as appropriate.

For official information regarding the fire, citizens are encouraged to visit www.washoecounty.us and follow @washoesheriff and @washoecounty, and @cityofreno on Twitter for the latest official information.

_______________________________Montreux and Galena Estates are not under evacuation but are the closest major developments to the area.

The Redfield Campus, a shared campus of the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College, has been closed due to the Washoe Drive Fire.

Classes and an event scheduled at the Redfield Campus for this evening, including a community open house hosted by the University’s Extended Studies Division, have been canceled.

The Redfield Campus is located on the Mt. Rose Highway, at 18600 Wedge Parkway, in south Reno.__________________________

The Eldorado Hotel Casino in downtown Reno is offering a $29 room rate for anyone affected by the Washoe Drive Fire.

People can call reservations at 775-786-5700 or 888-808-7720.

____________________

4 p.m. update: About 20 people are at the Evacuation Center at Damonte Ranch High School, including residents who can’t get home to Carson City because the highway is closed.

Sharleen Allard, an NV Energy employee, had gotten a call from her husband, Lou, at about 1:15 p.m. when she first learned of the fire.

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“He called me, and I said 'Are you going to evacuate?’ He said ‘No, I just see a little smoke,” Allard said. “Then by 1:30 he said it was so black he couldn’t see.”

Allard said her husband, a retired stage manager for the Grand Sierra Resort Casino, grabbed their dog, some of his guitars, the hard drive from their computer and a small safe of their valuables and left. Allard said she and her husband plan on staying with their son in Sparks.

The Damonte Ranch high school also was the site where students from Pleasant Valley Elementary School were evacuated and were waiting for their parents to pick them up.

Doug Parry, an area superintendent for Washoe County School District Zone 1, said approximately 375 children were taken to the high school on six buses after the fire broke out. He said parents were alerted and when they arrived at the school, they were required to show identification before they could take their children.

Some children still remain at the school, and Parry said Nutrition Services employees were providing water and food, and cartoons were being shown to children still waiting to be picked up.

Parry said if the parents were unable to pick up the students, it would be decided later if they would stay in the evacuation area.

___________________

Craig Logan, maintenance supervisor for the St. James neighborhood west of the fire, was standing on a hill watching the blaze burn.

“This thing has been taking off like crazy,” Logan said Thursday afternoon. “So far we are holding our breath. I think we are going to be OK. Nothing is for sure.”

Power lines were burning, and spot fires were reported, too, and near the new U.S. 395 freeway.

3:30 p.m. update: At least three and possibly four homes have burned on the west side of U.S. 395 in the vicinity of Pleasant Valley Elementary School. These are in addition to unknown number of homes that burned on the east side of the freeway.

The fire is making its way well into Washoe Valley. A series of spot fires are burning in the area of the Chocolate Nugget.

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Another fully involved structure on Rawhide Drive in Pleasant Valley, east of the highway.

The Peppermill is offering free rooms to anyone who lost their house in the Washoe Fire. For those who were evacuated and need a place to stay, rooms are available for $29. People go through the Red Cross for rooms.

People can call 211 for a resource line for the Washoe Drive fire.

Officials plan to hold a press conference on the Washoe Drive Fire 5 p.m. at Galena High School Auditorium.

The Regional Transportation Commission Intercity service between Reno and Carson City will operate on a detour through Fernley because U.S. 395 is closed.

The detour will add one to two hours to the trip, the RTC reports.

Dean Heller issued this statement on the fire:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the Washoe Drive fire. My staff and I are monitoring the situation and will continue to work with the community to respond to any needs that arise. I would also like to thank the first responders who once again are in harm’s way and urge everyone evacuating to keep safety a top priority.”

__________________________3 p.m., update: The fire has now burned into Pleasant Valley.

In the area of Anes Lane, Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputies are going door to door in the area to make sure homes are evacuated.

About six flights have been diverted, delayed or cancelled at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in response to the fire in Washoe Valley, said spokesman Brian Kulpin.

“Our issue is not smoke,” he said. “Our issue is wind.”

“We have plows that can move snow, but not wind,” he said.

Kulpin said anyone with a flight today should check their airline’s Web site for the status of their flight before they go to the airport.

Some flights were diverted to other airports, he said. Several flights were delayed as they departing or arriving, he said. And several were cancelled, he said. But he said he did not have details on specific flights.

Gov. Brian Sandoval authorized an early release for state employees who travel through Washoe Valley.

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Employees can leave at 4 p.m., the governor said via his Twitter page.

_______________________________

2:55 p.m. update: Law enforcement are going door-to-door in Pleasant Valley to safely evacuate residents as winds are getting stronger, and flames are dangerously close to homes.

Deputy Armando Avina said the sky in Pleasant Valley is dark, as black smoke thickly covers the area. Flames are almost reaching streets around Pleasant Valley Elementary School, that has been evacuated. Avina said all those students are safe and are awaiting parents to pick them up at Damonte High School – which is the designated evacuation site for residents.

He said the winds are pushing flames closer to Reno, where voluntary evacuations are in place for neighborhoods closer to the city.

Avina said the fire has jumped streets within seconds, and has already affected three homes.

“There is almost zero visibility,” Avina said of the smoke. “We encourage residents to not even think about battling this fire with a garden hose or sprinkler.”

Avina said patrol officers, search and rescue members, animal control services and members of other law enforcement are helping residents evacuate.

“The boots are on the ground making the evacuations,” he said.

Animal control workers are helping take large animals, he said.

“We are battling Mother Nature,” Avina said. “There is no sign of moisture. If the winds don’t cooperate and firefighters have to battle this fire in this wind, the damages could be very substantial.”

At Jan-Pro commercial cleaning services along Highway 395 in Washoe City, sales manager Susan Kijowski was just leaving the office when she saw flames out the window to the south.

“My heart just stopped,” she said via phone at 2:50 p.m. “We’re extremely grateful it’s blowing away from us, but we feel sorry for those on the other side. It’s blowing away from us or else I wouldn’t be talking now.”

Kijowski said she and others in the small office were busy collecting important papers and computer files.

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“It’s really bad. The wind is just ripping,” she said. “There’s a building next to us, about 400 yards away, it’s on fire. If the wind shifts, we’re done.”

An NV Energy spokeswoman said that crews have shut down two power lines in the Washoe Valley area, where 1,000 customers are now without power.

Faye Anderson said the effort was done so that firefighters attacking the Washoe Drive Fire are not confronted with live electrical wiring.

She said crews are on-scene to either shut down more lines, or to resume power to those without it.

_______________________2:48 p.m. update: The fire appears to be coming over the ridge towards Callahan Ranch.

He had someone coming with a truck to transport his three horses, and he and his wife and two children were packing up their valuables in another truck.

The pasture provides a barrier to the fire, but he was worried the fire could blow over them.

“When it is this windy, it could just jump over that,” Smrt said.

His house was built with a tile roof and concrete roof, so he was somewhat reassured, but still worried.

2:40 p.m. update: A Reno fire official said the fire could be threatening Pleasant Valley neighborhoods before 3 p.m.

More than 100 firefighters are battling the wild land blaze in the Washoe Valley area, according to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

Those firefighters have 10 fire engines, and one water tender, the dispatch said. They also have two hand crews.

The Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Sierra Pacific Power are helping with the fire-fighting effort, the dispatch said.

From the Washoe County Sheriff's Office: The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is calling for immediate evacuations in Old Washoe Valley, Saint James Place, and Pleasant Valley. Pleasant Valley Elementary School has been evacuated by school police. Parents are asked to pick up their children at Damonte Ranch High School. Please note that parents or guardians must have identification to pick up their children. Traffic is currently being diverted at Laramie Drive, we are asking residents to avoid 395 North and Southbound at Laramie Drive.

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2:35 p.m. update: In Peasant Valley, crews with Washoe County Regional Animal Services are rounding up horses or any other livestock in the fire’s way.

“We’re hauling out everything we can,” said Sgt. Cindy Doak of animal services. “We do this all the time. The fire is a big deal, but loading them in here is not.”

Doak said livestock is being relocated from the fire area to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

He couldn’t tell how close the fire was to the home he’s lived in for more than 35 years.

“I can’t tell where it’s at,” he said. “There’s just so much ash and smoke. I’m leaving now.”

Earlier, Fontana rushed to Pleasant Valley Elementary School to pick up his granddaughter and grandson but was told the school had already been evacuated and students sent to Damonte Ranch High School.

2:19 p.m. update: The Washoe Drive Fire is threatening structures and caused both lanes of U.S. 395 to be closed in Washoe Valley.

Sierra Front Dispatcher Helen Frazier said the fire began at 12:45 p.m. in the 485 block of Washoe Drive. The current size is unknown, while multiple structures are threatened.

There was no estimate available yet of containment or control.

Reno Fire Department is being assisted by the Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service and Sierra Pacific Power.

Maplewood Stables in Pleasant Valley is seeking assistance with horse evacuations. They are in need of trailers and volunteers. The stables are located at 425 W Laramie Drive.

The powerful winds pushing flames through Washoe Valley won’t falter until this evening, according to the National Weather Center’s Reno office.

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Weather officials said the southerly winds are blowing into the direction of Reno.

A Red Flag warning had been issued in the region within the last few days, which notes a danger for low humidity and strong winds.

Jessica Kielhorn, a NWC meteorologist/technician, said staff members had been meeting with emergency managers so they could be prepared for any fires related to the winds. She said fire danger was in the forefront.

She said the office recently received reports of winds reaching up to 60 miles per hour in Gardnerville. Winds in Carson City were predicted to be up to 55 miles per hour. There were also recent reports of winds topping 70 miles per hour in South Lake Tahoe.

Kielhorn said the Red Flag Warning is in effect until 4 p.m., but winds will continue to be at least up to 30 miles per hour through this evening in wind-prone areas.

She said today’s winds are the first in a series of three storms that are blowing through the area. In areas of higher elevations, including ski resorts, heavy snow will fall. But rain will likely fall first.

2:10 p.m. update: With his daughter crying besides him, Larry Kaplan, hosed down the fence at this home near the top of Washoe Hill.

Kaplan had lost his home twice before to fire, once during the wildfire and cone during an electrical fire.

“I’m not going to lose my house a third time, I can’t go through this again, Kaplan said.The fire was on all sides of his house as he housed down the fence.

Vice President Joe Biden is cutting his speech short because of the Washoe Valley fire.

________________________________________2 p.m. update: Six hundred students have been evacuated from Pleasant Valley Elementary School due to the fire.

They have been transported to Damonte Ranch High School, 10500 Rio Wrangler Parkway, Reno, where parents can pick them up at the back entrance.

U.S. 395 is closed in both directions at the Mount Rose Highway and in Washoe Valley._________________________________1:45 p.m. update: At least three structures are burning at the north end of Washoe Valley, reporter Jeff DeLong reports.

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DeLong also sees dump trucks burning.

Both directions of U.S. 395 are closed because of no visibility from the smoke.

The fire is burning north into Pleasant Valley, DeLong said.

The fire is putting up a huge smoke flume. It has jumped the freeway and is now burning up toward the new freeway project.

The Red Cross is setting up a shelter at Damonte Ranch High School.

People at Galena High School can smell the smoke.

_________________________1:30 p.m. update: At least two structures are burning in the Old Washoe Estates area just north of New Washoe City, Gazette-Journal reporter Jeff DeLong reports.

There are explosions, DeLong said. The fire had burned up to the Old 395 Gas Station and crews were protecting it.

The fire is on both sides of U.S. 395, DeLong reports. The visibility on U.S. 395 is near zero.

Fire crews report the fire is burning into Pleasant Valley.

_______________1:10 p.m. update: Scanner traffic indicates a voluntary evacuation Old Washoe Estates because of the brush fire near Washoe Drive. Also, northbound U.S. 395 traffic is being stopped in the area.

_____________________A brush fire is burning close to homes at the north end of Washoe Valley next to U.S. 395 near Little Washoe Lake.

Fire crews report the flames are close to homes and are calling for back up from other agencies in the area.